RUThe Rockefeller University · Physiology
Neural Circuits and Evolution Unit
Vanessa Ruta · New York, New York
Research Focus
Vanessa Ruta's lab at Rockefeller University studies how evolutionary differences in neural circuits can influence animal behavior, specifically focusing on Drosophila species. By utilizing advanced techniques like CRISPR genome editing, the lab aims to map the changes in nerve pathways that correspond to behavioral variations across species. Their research offers insights into the molecular and genetic foundations that explain how these circuits evolve, which could have important implications for understanding brain disorders and mental health.
CRISPRneural circuitsDrosophilaevolutionary biologybehavioral variationgenome editingneurogeneticscourtship behaviorsensory processingbrain disorders
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how evolutionary changes in neural circuits lead to differences in behavior.
AIM 02Map the neural pathways in various Drosophila species to identify anatomical changes.
AIM 03Analyze the genetic basis of species-specific mate preferences.
AIM 04Employ neurogenetic tools to study the evolution of sensory processing pathways.
AIM 05Link genetic variation to behavioral variation in Drosophila.
Skills the Lab Values
CRISPR genome editingneural circuit mappingtranscriptional profilingDrosophila manipulationbehavioral assaysanatomical imagingdata analysis in Revolutionary geneticsmolecular biology techniqueshigh-resolution microscopy
Output against the department
Publications40bottom 4% of dept.274th of 286
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations7.5ktop 44% of dept.127th of 286
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.